Monthly Archives: September 2014

Summer 2014 may turn out to be one of the cooler ones but the demand was hot for assistance through The Breathing Association’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Applications taken during July and August climbed almost 18% over last year to a record 4,229 households. That included over 680 applicants who qualified for air conditioners or air conditioning repairs.

“The need was great,” says Colette Harrell, HEAP Director for The Breathing Association. “We will continue to be a beacon of hope for those in our Central Ohio community that are suffering through rough economic times and breathing problems. Even now we are readying the assistance program for the upcoming busy winter months.”

The Director of Lung Health Services for The Breathing Association, Renee Kirwan, points out “another benefit of the HEAP program is that we are able to identify individuals who can benefit from our other important programs. On kickoff day alone 15 people were seen at our clinic who had been referred through the HEAP program.”

The Breathing Association pioneered the idea of air conditioning assistance under the HEAP program for households and individuals who meet the income and health qualifications. Today’s program is administered in partnership with the Ohio Development Services Agency’s Office of Community Assistance.

CONTINUED SUPPORT

Asthma outreach programs of The Breathing Association have received renewed support from The Reinberger Foundation. The Northeast Ohio organization has awarded The Breathing Association a $10,000 grant.

President/CEO of The Breathing Association, Joanne Spoth welcomed the gift. “We appreciate The Reinberger Foundation’s investment in our work to provide asthma outreach education and services to local families to help their children breathe easier and its alignment with their commitment to enhance the quality of life for individuals from all walks of life.”

“The Breathing Association has advanced it’s mission over time,” says Karen Hooser, President of The Reinberger Foundation. “It serves the breathing issues of those in need today as it did the individuals affected by tuberculosis more than 100 years ago. Asthma can be fatal but with education, healthcare and screening tools it can be managed.”

For more information or to contact our Asthma outreach nurse, call 614-437-1526.